27/07/2026
Policy on Paper, Poverty in Practice: Why Period Poverty Persists Despite Kenya’s Menstrual Health Commitments
Kenya is widely recognised as a regional leader in menstrual health, having introduced free sanitary pads for schoolgirls, implemented tax reforms on menstrual products, and fostered strong partnerships across government, civil society, and the private sector.
Yet for millions of girls, little has changed in practice.
Across classrooms nationwide, learning is still interrupted monthly,not because of a lack of policy, but due to inadequate access to sanitary products, untreated menstrual pain, insufficient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, lack of underwear, unsafe or unusable toilets, and persistent stigma. The consequences are clear and far-reaching: missed school days, reduced confidence, and deepening inequality.
The central question, therefore, is not whether Kenya has policies in place.
It is why those policies are not consistently reaching the girls who need them most.
A Month in One Girl’s Life
Following a single schoolgirl through her menstrual cycle reveals a recurring pattern,not of isolated failure, but of systemic breakdown across multiple points.
A national budget is approved. Sanitary pads are procured. A distribution plan is developed.
However, in her school:
Supplies arrive late,or not at all
Toilets lack water, soap, or basic maintenance
Menstrual pain is endured rather than medically supported
Absenteeism is normalised instead of addressed
Silence replaces structured support systems
By the time she returns to class, she is already academically behind.
The Hidden System Behind the Silence
Period poverty extends beyond the absence of products. It reflects a series of interconnected systems that are not functioning in alignment:
WASH infrastructure that is unreliable when most needed
School health systems that insufficiently address menstrual pain and related needs
SRHR services that rarely reach adolescents in accessible ways
Household poverty that limits access to basic menstrual essentials, including underwear
Unaddressed mental health needs linked to stigma and exclusion
Waste management systems unprepared for sustainable menstrual product disposal
Individually, these gaps may appear minor. Collectively, they are decisive.
Where the System Breaks
At the core of the challenge is implementation.
Do allocated funds consistently reach schools in full and on time?
Do procurement and delivery systems reflect actual needs on the ground?
Are county governments held accountable for last-mile distribution failures?
Is menstrual health clearly and effectively integrated within education and health systems, or left ambiguously between sectors?
The issue is not the absence of policy. It is the inconsistency and unevenness of delivery.
Innovation Already Exists
Importantly, solutions are already being implemented in various contexts:
Reusable and biodegradable menstrual products
Women-led production cooperatives strengthening local supply chains
School-based dignity kits containing pads, soap, and underwear
Digital systems for tracking procurement and distribution
Integration of menstrual health into primary healthcare and school health programmes
Community education initiatives engaging boys, parents, and caregivers
Climate-responsive menstrual product design and innovation
The challenge is not innovation. It is scale, coordination, and sustained investment.
Beyond Pads
Ultimately, this is a systems issue that determines whether girls can access education with dignity.
It raises fundamental questions about whether:
Public expenditure translates into effective service delivery
Health and education systems operate in an integrated and coordinated manner
Girls in rural and marginalised communities are meaningfully included in implementation, not only in policy design
Dignity is treated as a core component of infrastructure, rather than an optional consideration
When a girl consistently misses school every month, it is not an isolated incident.
It is a reflection of systemic failure.
Until that changes, period poverty will persist, regardless of how strong the policy framework appears on paper.
No girl should lose her education because of her period.
